Repair Shop restores Britain’s first black ballerina’s shoes

Britain’s First Black Ballerina’s Pointe Shoes Restore on The Repair Shop

Julie Felix, the trailblazing black ballerina who made history as Britain’s first professional African-Caribbean dancer, had her iconic pointe shoes restored on BBC’s popular series, The Repair Shop. At 67, Felix gained recognition in the United States after being denied a place in a London ballet company during the 1970s due to racial bias. Following her return to the UK, she became a key figure at the Birmingham Royal Ballet, teaching and mentoring aspiring dancers. The shoes, which have now undergone a 40-year transformation, were recently brought back to life by expert artisans.

“It took my breath away, because it was something that I really never expected to happen,” Felix said, expressing her astonishment at the restoration.

The project was inspired by her late mother, who had long dreamed of seeing the shoes preserved. Felix explained, “It just turned out life had been hectic, and I never found time to fix them until now.”

The Repair Shop, a television series that highlights the revival of cherished personal belongings, featured Felix’s shoes as a poignant addition to its lineup. While she initially hoped for a basic restoration, the team’s craftsmanship surpassed her expectations. Felix, who previously served as Head of Dance at St Martin’s Girls School in Solihull, has since been awarded an MBE for her contributions to the arts. The episode airs on BBC1 at 20:00 BST on 8 April.